Supporting Hosts in Ukraine

Over the last week you will have seen many news articles, instagram reels and tweets about how hosts are supporting hosts in Ukraine. This is truly going viral and it is having amazing impact at a grass roots level. If you are wanting to know how I have supported hosts in Ukraine and how you can do this too, then read on.

#IstandwithUkraine

The invasion of Ukraine has been horrendous. While we are watching the war on television, real people are experiencing such horrors that I can’t even imagine. It all feels so far away and yet so close. We relate to these families who are losing their homes, their businesses and their lives when even just a month ago they were living normally. It all feels very similar to the shock and horror that we felt when the pandemic first hit. I had to find a way to help.

So, last week when I saw a post on Facebook about how some hosts are supporting hosts in Ukraine, this immediately felt like something I could do to help – even in a small way.

Timeline

Thursday, I went onto Airbnb and found hosts in Kiev who are solo operators or small property managers. This is important as this will really have the most direct impact with small business owners who will be the most affected right now.  

I cashed in my Superhost bonus and added cash of my own and started to make bookings.

*If you are unsure how to cash in your Superhost bonus, drop a note in the comments.

Leaving a message was easy. I told the hosts I wouldn’t be staying but that this was a donation. I discovered that most of the hosts didn’t have instant book. So you might have to wait for a reply and for your booking to be accepted.

So far, I have made 3 bookings with 3 different hosts. I have had some lovely communications with the hosts and let them know they have support from around the world. These are hosts who are just like you and me – but now they are in a war zone.

I can’t even….. 

Some additional thoughts

I also suggested they make their cancelation policies “super strict” for the time being.

Why?

When a booking is made with a super strict cancellation policy, after the booking is made and paid, I can cancel it. The host will still get all of the money but the calendar is open for them to get more bookings.

This movement seems to be going viral right now. Opening up the calendars means they can book the space again for the same dates and get more donations. For me, this is a small token but feels so personal and connected with hosts who are just like me but facing all kinds trauma.

Airbnb waiving fees

Airbnb have waived the fees – host side and guest side.

This means 100% of my donation is going to the hosts. Some of the hosts I have spoken to have fled with their kids to neighbouring countries. Others are defiant and are certain they will prevail. They all have expressed such emotion and gratitude for these surprise bookings. 

But I know from personal experience just how untethering it is to not only have the world outside your door completely change but to have the added uncertainty of your income and cash flow instantly drying up. I know this isn’t about me, but when the pandemic first hit and all of our bookings for the year cancelled in less than a month, it was an added stress that we didn’t need. 

If you want to hear more, head to my instagram. Feel free to forward this post or my instagram around to encourage more bookings with hosts in Ukraine. Or drop a comment below.